Every train journey counts. For the climate and for our customers. Because with Deutsche Bahn, our travelers on DB long distance rail transport in Germany not only travel with 100 percent renewable power. Thanks to BahnBonus, they can also collect points with every ticket they book and secure many other benefits. In this way, we reward sustainable travel with attractive and ecologically sustainable rewards. This makes BahnBonus one of the most environmentally friendly reward programs.
But we are not only making our rewards world sustainable. With our BahnBonus app, we have also created a purely digital offer and save an average of around two tons of plastic per year by completely dispensing with plastic membership cards. Thanks to the CO2Compass, our BahnBonus members can also transparently see the individual CO2e savings of their rail journeys compared to the car - directly in the app.
Collect BahnBonus points
BahnBonus members can collect points every time they buy tickets and BahnCards - but also with many mobility, hotel and other Deutsche Bahn partners. We are in close contact with them to jointly define a uniform standard of ecological sustainability for our BahnBonus rewards program. We are already increasingly focusing on ecologically sustainable partner offers and creating incentives so that our BahnBonus members make the ecologically better choice. For example, renting an electric car instead of a combustion engine with our partners is rewarded with more points.
Redeem bonus points in the BahnBonus world of rewards
Members can redeem the reward points they collect in the rewards store for attractive rail, donation, partner or non-cash rewards. Our entire range of non-cash rewards has been in line with defined principles of environmental sustainability since 2024. Our rail and donation rewards are also sustainable. In the social area, these include donations to the Travelers' Aid Society and the "Bündnis für Kinder. Gegen Gewalt". We will also be expanding the selection of ecological donation projects in the future. Currently, our BahnBonus members can already donate bonus points to the Bergwaldprojekt e. V. and thus support the planting of native trees in various regions of Germany.
In the BahnBonus world of rewards, members can find a variety of non-cash rewards for their trip - from durable suitcases and reusable cups to headphones made from recycled materials. For all these non-cash rewards, we have selected a particularly ecologically sustainable solution that is currently available to us on the market. Offering BahnBonus members the most attractive and environmentally friendly product possible is not easy. We have therefore defined a comprehensive guideline with principles. It contains detailed criteria for the various phases of a product's life cycle, as well as for the shipping packaging and shipping itself to our customers.
Transparent product testing in three steps
Product
The criteria for the ecological sustainability of products relate to their manufacturing process and use. We distinguish between different material groups: Different criteria apply to products made of wood and paper than to products made of textiles or metal. With these detailed criteria and the corresponding transparent principles, we ensure that all non-cash bonuses meet our high standards. We are continuously developing our principles and criteria. In future, we will therefore also include product packaging in our assessments.
An overview of our principles and reasons for exclusion is linked here (only available in German).
Shipping packaging
A sustainable product experience also includes how the goods arrive with the members. That's why we only send BahnBonus rewards in certified or recycled cardboard packaging. Alternatives are reusable mailing bags made from recycled materials. The filling material used must not contain any new plastics either but must consist of certified or recycled cardboard and paper materials. In addition, the principle of using as little packaging material as possible always applies. This helps to avoid unnecessary waste.
Shipping
We are currently not always able to track the entire supply chain for the non-cash rewards in the BahnBonus world of rewards. What we can ensure, however, is climate-friendly shipping to the members. Wherever possible, we rely on logistics partners who can ensure climate-friendly shipping. In Germany, for example, we ship with DHL Go Green.
Product testing in concrete terms
Of course, we are aware that the demand for ecological sustainability will continue to evolve. Globalized supply chains and industry-specific legislature require careful consideration of each individual product. That is why we have defined ten principles and five reasons for exclusion when selecting ecologically sustainable non-cash rewards. Transparency is important to us, which is why we have linked an overview of all the principles as well as a sample test for a book and a backpack here (only available in German).
Climate protection upgrade with the BahnBonus status levels
In addition to reward points, travelers can also collect status points with BahnBonus and achieve one of three status levels. With the status levels, members benefit from many attractive advantages related to climate-friendly travel with DB. These include offers such as a 30-minute free ride with Call a Bike, free travel for fellow passengers - but also access to the DB Lounge or discounts in the on-board catering.
